Fathers Day started windy with early morning easterly's at 22 mph. Luckily by 6 am things calmed down to 15 allowing us to get on the water and run to Potters Pier for bait. Bait was plentiful one toss of my 10' cast net and we were done. Loaded with Pass Crabs for Tarpon and white baits for snook and redfish we headed to the beach.
Spotting rolling tarpon in the choppy waters was challenging at best. Even up in my tower we couldn't locate the silver kings so we headed inshore for redfish. We were greeted by super conditions a very high tide and lots of moving water.
I made the first cast to show everyone where to land their baits but before I could hand the rod off the drag began to scream. I quickly gave the rod to Travis and the fun began. After getting the red out of the mangroves the bruiser decided to go behind the boat then under and back again out front. Minutes later Travis was proudly posing with his first redfish s solid 29" beauty. Travis from Boston was amazed by the power of his redfish. Sadly the school moved and we could not locate them in the wind.
We moved to another Mangrove Island and started tossing cut white baits tight to the mangroves. It wasn't long before Cody's rod bent double and his drag began to scream. The smile on Cody's face could been seen for a mile! This bruiser also ran around the boat, then under and around the trolling motor. Soon the thick 28" red was onboard. Within minutes Cody was once again battling another big redfish. Another over the slot redfish was making the morning very fun.
Next up Dad (Pete) got in the action with a true brute. Pete was having a blast with his first ever redfish as the red made run after run. This was a very big fish and was giving Pete all he could handle but Pete out witted this beauty getting the fish out of the mangroves and into the open\. It was very clear this was truly a beautiful fish. Pete proudly posed for a quick picture with his 32" redfish. Pete Travis and Cody are from NY and Boston and were truly amazed by the power of redfish. They typically catch smallmouth bass, pike and northerns and are now hooked on redfish.
We also took snook to 27" along with a handful of trout. A great Fathers Day!
Captain Steven Markovich
